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12-Month SIM-Only Contracts

Compare 6 12-month SIM-only contracts from Lebara from £4.50/mo. Refreshed daily for May 2026.

6 plans matching 12-month

Network Plan Data Mins / Texts Term 5G EU Roam Monthly
Lebara 12 Month Plan 5GB 5GB 1000 mins / 1000 texts 12 months 5G - £4.50 /mo Get plan
Lebara 12 Month Plan 30GB 30GB Unlimited mins / Unlimited texts 12 months 5G - £9.00 /mo Get plan
Lebara 12 Month Plan 50GB 50GB Unlimited mins / Unlimited texts 12 months 5G - £13.50 /mo Get plan
Lebara 12 Month Plan 100GB 100GB Unlimited mins / Unlimited texts 12 months 5G - £18.00 /mo Get plan
Lebara 12 Month Plan Unlimited 1 Unlimited Unlimited mins / Unlimited texts 12 months 5G - £22.50 /mo Get plan
Lebara 12 Month Plan Unlimited 2 Unlimited Unlimited mins / Unlimited texts 12 months 5G - £27.00 /mo Get plan

12-month SIM-only contracts: when they make sense

A 12-month SIM-only contract locks in your monthly price for a year in exchange for a discount over the rolling rate. The discount is typically 15-30% on equivalent allowances, which adds up to £30-£100 over the year. 12-month deals also tend to bundle the bigger allowances - it is the natural home of unlimited data plans, and the route most shoppers take when sorting by total cost on our cheapest SIM-only deals page. The lock-in matters in two ways: you cannot leave without paying an early termination fee covering the remaining monthly charges, and most UK networks raise prices once a year (in April) tied to inflation. As of 2024 networks have to disclose the price rise in pounds rather than a CPI percentage at the point of sale, so you can do the maths up front. A 12-month deal makes sense if your usage is stable, if you are happy with the network is coverage, and if you can absorb a mid-contract price rise. If any of those is uncertain, a rolling plan and the freedom to switch usually beats a small monthly saving. 12-month plans are typically only available from the four big networks and a handful of MVNOs (notably iD Mobile and Smarty) - giffgaff, 1pMobile, Spusu and Lebara are rolling-only.

Frequently asked questions

What is a SIM-only plan?
A SIM-only plan is just airtime - calls, texts and mobile data on a SIM card you slot into a phone you already own. There is no handset bundled in, so you pay only for the network service. Plans range from rolling 30-day deals you can cancel any time, up to 24-month contracts with bigger data allowances at lower monthly prices.
What is the difference between SIM-only and a phone contract?
A phone contract bundles a handset and an airtime plan into one monthly payment, usually over 24 or 36 months. A SIM-only plan is airtime only, so it is cheaper month-to-month and you keep using whatever phone you already own. If your current phone still works, a SIM-only plan almost always saves money compared with upgrading to a new contract.
Can I keep my phone number when I switch SIM-only plans?
Yes. Text PAC to 65075 from your existing SIM and your current network will reply with a PAC code that lets you transfer your number to the new SIM. The switch usually completes within one working day and is free under Ofgem rules.
Read the full PAC code guide
How long does SIM activation take?
Most SIMs activate within a few hours of you putting them in your phone, though the network can take up to 24 hours to switch your number across if you used a PAC code. Until activation completes you may briefly lose service on the old SIM.
Can I cancel a SIM-only plan?
Rolling 30-day SIM-only plans can be cancelled with 30 days notice with no penalty. Fixed 12-month or 24-month SIM-only contracts have an early termination fee, usually the remaining monthly charges discounted by a few percent. Always check the terms before committing to a longer plan.
Why are 12-month SIM-only deals cheaper than rolling plans?
Networks lock in your custom for a year, so they can offer a lower headline rate. The catch is an early termination fee if you leave before the year is up - usually the remaining monthly charges minus VAT and a small discount.
Will my 12-month price increase mid-contract?
Most UK networks add an annual mid-contract price rise tied to inflation. From April 2024 networks have to state the rise in pounds rather than a CPI percentage at sign-up. Always check the contract before committing.